Understanding the effect of producers' attitudes, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control on intentions to use antimicrobials prudently on New York dairy farms

Abstract

Understanding farmers' behavior, motivations, and perceptions toward antimicrobial use can influence how veterinarians translate research into practice and guide effective ways of implementing protocols. A multidisciplinary team investigated behavioral tendencies of New York dairy farmers toward antimicrobial use by administering a survey modeled with the reasoned action approach. This approach is a framework from social psychology containing the constructs attitude, perceived norms, and perceived behavioral control, and is used in combination with structural equation modeling to determine what drives intentions. Multiple indicators and multiple causes (MIMIC) models were then used to determine the effects of beliefs on their underlying constructs. The objective of the study was to provide direct and indirect measures of the constructs using survey data to determine importance of and associations with intention to use antimicrobials prudently. The structural equation model indicated that perceived behavioral control explained intention. Thus, farmers who feel capable of prudent use expressed positive intentions. Attitude and perception of others also had influence to a lesser extent. MIMIC models showed that the most important attributes of instrumental attitude were increasing profitability, decreasing risk of residues, and increasing herd health. Contributing attributes of affective attitude were job satisfaction, decreasing resistance, and increasing milk production. For perceived norms, the attributes were opinions/approval of family and peers, veterinarians, and milk processors. Finally, for perceived behavioral control, attributes focused on saving money on labor and treatment, ability to fit into the daily routine, and effectiveness with veterinary guidance. In conclusion, the best approach for adoption of practices might be presentation of examples of successful strategies by other producers, particularly in peer groups. In addition, veterinarians should provide the tools and guidance needed to produce economic gain, reduction of risks associated with residues and resistance, and positive experiences when using the tactics.

Fig 1. Diagram of the structural equation model of future intentions for prudent use of antimicrobials on NY dairy farms.

Instrumental attitude (A_I), affective attitude (A_A), perceived norms (PN), perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention (I) are constructs in the reasoned action approach, an integrative framework for behavior analysis. Each construct is represented by questions in a behavioral survey administered to NY dairy farms (n = 359). Ellipses represent constructs, circles represent error, straight arrows represent direct relationships with respective regression coefficients, and curved arrows represent correlation. *** P < 0.001.

Fig 2. Diagram of the multiple indicators multiple causes model (MIMIC) for attributes of attitude.

Instrumental attitude (A_I) and affective attitude (A_A) are constructs in the reasoned action approach, an integrative framework for behavior analysis. In a MIMIC model, regression coefficients show the impact of the causal relationship of each attribute (e.g. increased milk production) on the construct, accounting for the relationships to the direct measures (e.g. unsatisfying-satisfying). Measurements were retrieved as answers to questions in a behavioral survey administered to NY dairy farms. Ellipses represent constructs, circles represent error, straight arrows represent direct relationships with respective regression coefficients, and curved arrows represent correlation. *** P < 0.001 ** P < 0.05.